Seasonal travel, school breaks, and a rise in traumatic accidents during the summer months contribute to emergency shortage of blood and platelets
Urgent need for type O+ and O- donations
RHODE ISLAND – Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) is declaring its first blood emergency of 2024 due to a significant drop in blood donations. In the past several weeks, donations have been hundreds short of what is needed to meet hospital demand, placing a strain on the region’s blood supply during the critical summer months. In addition, RIBC is issuing an urgent call for type O+ and O- blood donations. This dangerous shortage is impacting local hospitals and part of a disturbing national trend, with type O shortages reported across the U.S. The current inventory of type O blood is the lowest it’s been since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Type O+ is the most common blood type, representing nearly 40% of the U.S. population. Type O- is the universal blood type and is commonly used in emergency settings. A shortage of both types, both locally and nationally, poses serious concerns for our healthcare system, and the need for donors is critical.
The weeks between Memorial Day and Labor Day are often referred to as ‘trauma season’ due to a spike in traumatic accidents during the warmer months. About 25% of trauma patients require blood transfusions, so an increase in traumas can strain an already limited blood supply. Additionally, school breaks, travel, and busy summer schedules make blood donation less of a priority and often lead to seasonal shortages.
“The need for blood donations in Rhode Island is crucial now more than ever before,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I urge all eligible Rhode Islanders to come together to tackle this emergency, save lives, and promote healthy communities. Please make an appointment today.”
“Maintaining our blood supply is critical to providing care to Rhode Islanders who need long-term care. Many chronically ill individuals need regular transfusions, and we must ensure that they can receive the care they need,” said Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos. “We need Rhode Islanders to band together and avert a future blood emergency by donating whenever they can. I thank Rhode Island Blood Center for all that they are doing to raise awareness and encourage more donations.”
“Blood is essential to help Rhode Islanders survive surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries,” said Dr. Suzanne Bornschein, Medical Director for the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Division of Emergency Preparedness and Infectious Disease. “Giving blood is one of the most profound ways to give back and potentially save the life of someone in your community. I encourage everyone who is eligible to donate to reach out to the Rhode Island Blood Center to make an appointment today!”
“Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital are the only Level 1 Trauma Centers in southern New England. This means we rely on blood donations to provide life-saving services,” said Dean Roye, MD, SVP for medical affairs and chief medical officer at Rhode Island Hospital. “I would encourage everyone who can donate blood to join me in doing so.”
“Donating blood means giving the gift of life to others in our community. Lifesaving blood is not only essential for disasters but for surgeries, cancer treatments, chronic illnesses, traumatic injuries, and for the treatment of our most vulnerable patients, premature infants,” said Jack Tanner BSN, RN, Nurse Director of the NICU & Respiratory Care Women & Infants Hospital. “Women & Infants Hospital annually cares for approximately 1,200 critically ill infants who require blood because they are not yet able to produce their own red blood cells. Donating blood allows someone to help save a life.”
The region currently only has a 2-3-day blood supply of types O-, O+, and B-, well below the optimal level of 5-7 days. Platelets and all other blood types are also in short supply. In addition to the rise in traumas, blood is needed daily for routine patient care. Cancer patients, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, those suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more rely on blood donors every day in order to receive treatment.
“While the summer months bring warm weather, trips to the beach and joyful gatherings of family and friends, each year our hospitals receive an influx of trauma patients that need our help and require blood transfusions for treatment,” said Caitlin Grimaldi-Flick, Marketing & Communication Manager at Rhode Island Blood Center. “As we navigate these challenging months, we call on our community to give back by making blood donation a regular part of their summer activities.”
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY – Thursday, July 25: Rhode Island Department of Health’s Dr. Suzanne Bornschein will donate blood alongside RIBC’s Vice President Beau Tompkins to highlight this urgent need in the community at RIBC’s Providence Donor Center (405 Promenade St.) at 10:00am.
RIBC hosts daily blood drives and operates 5 area donor centers to reach donors and meet local hospital needs. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, visit ribc.org or call 401.453.8383.